Holy Trinity Church
Waterhead, Oldham

 

The history of Holy Trinity Church, Waterhead

Holy Trinity, Waterhead, has had an interesting history. The parish was formed in 1844, when the Revd P.H. Reynolds was appointed as Vicar. At this time there was still no church building. Services (and Sunday School) were held in a room above 2 cottages located in Sidebottom Street. The Vicar nicknamed the site, ‘The Old Cathedral.’

Numbers grew, and eventually sufficient money was raised to build a church, which was consecrate on 5 July 1847 by the Bishop of Chester (The Diocese of Manchester was founded later that same year, having previously been part of the Diocese of Chester). This church had neither spire nor tower, and cost £3600 to build.

After a further appeal, £1400 was raised, enabling the tower and spire to be erected. The work was completed in 1876. the tower contained one bell. Later, additions included a vestry and organ chamber.

Meanwhile, the day school was built in 1852, and called ‘The Waterhead National School.’ Old parish magazines reveal that the school received very good reports whenever the inspector called.

Holy Trinity was 160 years old in 2007. In that time, there have been only 11 Vicars, in part due to two of them staying an inordinate length of time: ‘Daddy’ French, as he was affectionately known, was incumbent for 48½ years, and Vicar Shaw for 37½ years.

During its lifetime, Holy Trinity has of course seen many changes. Firstly, the building and its fittings: the balcony at the west end has been removed; the pew doors were cut down; we have had two organs; a few pulpits (including a triple-decker); and four lecterns.

Secondly, the Waterhead area has changed beyond recognition. The school closed in 1966, and all the property in the immediate vicinity of the church was demolished in the late 60s and early 70s.many church members were moved out — and many never returned. The replacement included a new Church Hall, and modern housing around the church. A sheltered-housing complex is now juxtaposed with the Hall.

The composition of the congregation has changed since the ‘good old days.’ There is now a greater mix of the generations in the 50–60 adults who attend, and a goodly number of children in the Sunday Schools.

The most recent change is perhaps more administrative. Holy Trinity joined the Medlock Head Team Ministry in 2007, together with first St John the Baptist, Hey or Lees, and more recently with St Barnabas’, Clarksfield.

The church was listed Grade-II in 2006. Please click here for the statement of significance.

Which brings us into the twenty-first century. We now have well advanced plans to re-order the church interior, with moveable seating and a large sectioned-off complex of kitchen, toilets and meetings rooms at the rear of the church. It is certainly an exciting time to be a member of Holy Trinity.


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Page posted 4 February 2010